What Genre of knives is on its way up.....and what's on its way down ? :)

[Win Heger]

Pretty funny, about jeans, I had that problem but it wasn't the jeans shrinking. Years ago, back in NJ, I wore a Bill Pease "swinger" and loved it. That kind of sheath is never in the way and they came in very usable blade shapes, still do!

 

[HallHandmade]

Well, I guess I'll stumble in late to the party.

I'm 34. I know a lot of folks my age have gotten sick and tired of shoddy imported goods, and anything handcrafted, boutique, bespoke, old world, old time, sweat and blood, dirt and leather seems to be in vogue. What is old is new, and what is new is old.

I've focused a lot of my work on a blend of modern and traditional, designs with modern materials and steels and traditional aesthetics, and response has been very strong.


I sell some very nice buckeye and koa on the side, and I'm constantly getting "first timer for heirloom grade/premium wood" customers lately. The youngins are noticing how beautiful a nice block of koa can be.

 

[JParanee]

Good discussion. I don't know enough about market trends to speak with authority. I do know that trends and demographics are related in the big picture. Any new group that enters the knife world in sufficient numbers will influence the market. Examples might include women or post-military young adult males or Asians or the spawn of baby boomers or whatever. If there's enough of them they'll push the market toward their preferences.

Also, external forces are market drivers. The ivory ban for example, or legal pressures on blade length, concealed vs open carry etc. On top of all that stuff, over time those who enter as knife enthusiasts and stay around will experience an evolution of what they like, causing trends to shift.

In fact, I've got a new trend going in my life that is interesting. This no BS. As jeans have gotten tighter I've moved away from carrying knives in my pockets. I've started routinely wearing some of my custom belt knives with 3 inch blades out in the open and so far no issues. I may or may not be wearing a jacket or vest. But the blades are legal and I'm more comfortable in close fitting jeans.

Will this trend catch on? Will wearing custom belt knives with nice sheaths, materials and craftsmanship (and legal blades) become a thing? Any of my knife friends out there gonna join me? Come on, let's do it. Let's show some commitment. I don't want to be one of those guys who straps on a belt knife just for the knife show. Know what I mean?

Buddy

I've never carried knives in my pockets I'm rather active and a big folder on a clip just does not work for me

I've always carried belt carried fix blades but usually horizontal

People have never commented

I don't know if your on to something but I'm with you

 

[LCKT707]

I still believe everyone has their own sort of market for their blades so it's hard to specifically say what's hot and what's not. I think a lot of makers mess around in the same market but at the same time a good number just seem to have their own separate out. So what's not hot for some may be booming for a handful of people. It's so interesting to me to see things like this, especially if the maker isn't big on social media. They somehow have distribution or they're just a local all-star, word of mouth, etc etc. So cool!

But anyways from a new social media/ Instagram perspective; mini-cleavers have been hot hot hot! lately.

 

[Georgecatl]

Buddy

I've never carried knives in my pockets I'm rather active and a big folder on a clip just does not work for me

I've always carried belt carried fix blades but usually horizontal

People have never commented

I don't know if your on to something but I'm with you

I've gotten accustomed to a folder on a clip. Knives rattling around a pocket with keys, cellphone,wallets and change. (And occasional nuts and bolts.......which I regularly get scolded for by my wife when she does laundry)Don't work. Tight jeans are no longer an option. I like horizontal carry and have several setups with various small fixed blades with kydek sheaths.
But an issue.......I know you're a fit specimen Joe.......but I've found that my horizontal open carry has transitioned to concealed carry as my waistline has expanded

 

[Dawkind]

I've always bought what I liked because of style and craftsmanship....no matter what the genre.

 

[JParanee]

I've gotten accustomed to a folder on a clip. Knives rattling around a pocket with keys, cellphone,wallets and change. (And occasional nuts and bolts.......which I regularly get scolded for by my wife when she does laundry)Don't work. Tight jeans are no longer an option. I like horizontal carry and have several setups with various small fixed blades with kydek sheaths.
But an issue.......I know you're a fit specimen Joe.......but I've found that my horizontal open carry has transitioned to concealed carry as my waistline has expanded

Sounds like ya got it figured out